Upgrading livelihood facilities to improve residents’ quality of life has topped the list of calls from lawmakers and the social welfare sector as Hong Kong awaits its first five-year social and economic development plan and the Policy Address to be delivered by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Wednesday.

The facilities concern infrastructure like community living rooms and district health centers.

In a video posted on social media earlier this month, in which residents shared their experiences of using livelihood facilities, Lee said Hong Kong’s inaugural five-year plan will continuously improve the people’s well-being through long-term strategies, while the Policy Address will introduce concrete measures annually in key areas like housing, livelihoods and healthcare.

Sze Lai-shan, deputy director of the Society for Community Organization – a non-profit group campaigning for the welfare of low-income residents – proposed that existing community facilities, such as youth centers, be given equal attention.

Community living rooms – an idea Lee suggested in his 2023 Policy Address – is a key project of his parcel of policies aimed at eradicating poverty.  Since the first such facility was launched in Kowloon’s Sham Shui Po District in late 2023, there are now 16 such facilities in operation across Hong Kong, with two more due to open by the end of this year.

“It’s not necessary for such facilities to be dedicated centers”, Sze said, stressing that public awareness of these facilities also needs to be enhanced, and the types of services offered could be expanded.

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Legislator Bill Tang Ka-piu agreed that the number of community living rooms should be increased as they provide critical amenities for the grassroots.

He proposed that the government could convert industrial buildings or underutilized public markets into community living rooms, which are non-residential day facilities with fewer land-use constraints.  

“The upcoming five-year blueprint serves as a crucial policy tool to design and execute initiatives that will directly elevate residents’ sense of well-being and happiness,” Tang said, emphasizing the importance of long-term strategic planning.

On the other hand, district health centers, which aim to boost community healthcare and prevent diseases, can act as central hubs to proactively link up with residents and promote the community’s awareness of disease prevention, as well as health management.

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At present, Hong Kong has 10 district health centers and eight district health express facilities, providing more than 100 service points, with about 600,000 members by late June this year.

Since January this year, district health centers have been providing first-contact physiotherapy services for patients with low back pain and osteoarthritic knee pain. Eligible residents can receive assessment and treatment directly from physiotherapists at these facilities without the need for a doctor's referral. The service currently covers 10 centers and is expected to be extended to the other eight within this year.

As of Oct 5, elderly people who were originally due to receive chronic disease management at elderly health centers will have their treatment arrangements coordinated and followed up by district health centers instead.

Tang said services that are essential for maintaining long-term health should be institutionalized as routine, networked support.

Another lawmaker, Roy Chu Lap-wai, cited the case of a resident in Hong Kong Island’s Southern District who joined the Chronic Disease Co-Care Scheme through the local district health center. After enrolling, the resident had cut down on dining out, adopted healthier eating habits, built a regular exercise routine, and encouraged family and friends to join as well.

Chu said the authorities should strengthen cross-departmental collaboration by setting up an integrated health-welfare-housing network with formal cross-referral mechanisms connecting livelihood-related facilities, such as district health centers, community living rooms and neighborhood centers for the elderly.

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com